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Josh Rakic | May 31, 2009
STAR flanker Rocky Elsom is poised to become one of Australian rugby's richest earners, with a pay packet of up to $900,000 a season if he commits to a new deal to return to Australia.
Rugby circles were abuzz last week with unconfirmed reports Elsom had signed for the ACT Brumbies. Western Force star James O'Connor could follow him.
Their presence, allied with Matt Giteau's decision to play there, would ensure two-time Super competition champions had one of the most dangerous sides in Super 14.
Heineken Cup-winning forward Elsom is yet to put pen to paper on an ARU or a Super rugby contract, but it would appear the lengthy negotiations have worked in his favour after he was crowned man of the match for the 11th time of the season in Leinster's high-profile win over Leicester last weekend.
The former Wallaby was reportedly told by ARU officials last year that he didn't rank on their list of the world's best six flankers and was offered a Wallabies contract worth $250,000. Elsom signed with Leinster for an estimated $800,000.
In damaging form and after making no secret of his willingness to stay abroad, Elsom was offered a huge amount to remain in Dublin, a development that prompted the ARU to up the ante.
It's believed the ARU has offered the giant 26-year-old a guaranteed $450,000-a-season deal, plus payments of $11,000 a match which could boost his international earnings alone to $600,000.
Added to this, The Sun-Herald understands Elsom stands to make at least $250,000 a season in Super wages and third-party agreements, while he would also receive a minimum $3000 a game.
Despite reports, Elsom has not agreed to terms with the ACT Brumbies and the Reds are also hopeful of snaring his signature after offering the former Waratah a base salary believed to be $150,000 a season plus $100,000 in third-party payments.
With Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh currently in France on tour with Elsom in the Barbarians squad, Tahs insiders are quietly confident Elsom could return to Sydney, where he's alligned with premier rugby club Randwick.
Elsom has a reputation for dragging out his contract negotiations, having last year taken so long over his ARU release-and-return criteria that an oversight led to him not signing a contract.
He has the option to remain overseas despite being released by the ARU strictly for one year on compassionate grounds.
Elsom this week told newspaper the Irish Examiner he wanted to return to Australia but still hadn't finalised a deal.
"I've spoken at length with the Australian management about moving back. It's just about finalising things now. I'm going to try and head back to Australia," he said.
Elsom will play for the Barbarians against Australia in Saturday's Test at the Sydney Football Stadium and, no matter which Super club he signs with, the ARU are desperate to keep the Queenslander on Australian soil. The ARU did not return calls yesterday.
Meanwhile, James O'Connor is all but a certainty to leave Western Australian for the Waratahs or Brumbies next season after approaching Sydney Premier Rugby club Randwick for a Shute Shield contract, effective immediately.
Part of Robbie Deans's 29-man Wallabies squad, O'Connor is believed to be seeking permanent accommodation on the eastern beaches, adding to speculation he may join the Waratahs to team with Wallabies backline stars Lote Tuqiri, Timana Taha, Drew Mitchell, Luke Burgess and Lachie Turner.
Force team-mate and Wallabies flanker David Pocock is also looking to move to Sydney, at least for the Super 14 off-season.
The talented No.7 is close to terms with the Galloping Greens. He has one more season to run on his two-year deal with the Force in Perth. Randwick are confident of snaring his signature during the week when he arrives in Sydney to join the Wallabies camp. If he does so is likely to join Elsom and other rugby stars at a Gallopping Greens' luncheon on Friday.
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